13 comments:

First keep a watchful eye out for birds acting timid or dumpy or wide tails as they are high risk for going light. If you note any of those early signs, separate them from the rest that appear healthy.

Second separate male and females and if you can't tell the sex, separate thin ones from fatter more aggressive ones.

Third cage the thin ones in individual cages if possible. If not possible cage thin ones together.

Fourth feed them fattening foods such as sunflower chips and bread and drop the protein level.

Five feed them avigain which contains vitamins, high fat, and a lactobacillus probiotic.

Hi Linda,Soon we will start preparing our birds for the coming bird shows. Last year I have heard from some experienced breeders that they wash their white bird borders with a special stuff that they mix with water to make their feathers look more brilliant white. Have you got any idea of what it might be or if you use anything in particular to enhance the white feather? When I asked them what it was they just wouldn't want to say and avoid the question politely..some breeders are not helpful to novices..it's a pity!

During my last breeding season i had a problem with some hens picking feathers from their chicks. I have done everything to avoid this to no avail. On the 14th day i give them the second nest with an abundance of jute and also pieces of tissue and even cotton so that the hen won't pick on her babies. I also tried to remove the nest on the cage floor and place her second nest in her original place. I tried with a cock in the same cage and even without him. I had one hen in particular that even when i placed the chicks in another cage to feed them through the bars she still wanted to pick on them. She did it with so eagerness that she would look like she wants to go through the bars to get those feathers. It's such a pity to see the chicks sometimes even with blood. My question is this..Does she do this cause she is lacking of some minerals in particular or maybe lack of protein in her diet or something else? When i notice her behavior i see that the hen 'chew' the stem of the feather and then off for another one..What is your opinion in this regard? Thanks

Hens pluck feathers from young because they want to nest again too quickly. They are overstimulated to lay before they finish raising a nest. Make sure you are not over feeding vitamin E.

I offer a second nest at 14 days with nesting material. I place it side by side to the original. Usually the chicks will change nests and make more room before they leave the nest at about 18 days.

You have tried separating through the wire and letting the cock feed them.

Most smaller canaries can be weaned at 21 days. I separate them when I see them eat their first bite to a small cage with no perches.

Foods that they will eat at 18 days include 1/4 hard boiled egg and white foods such dishes of dry handrearing formula. I also offer nestling eggfood and a variety but they will start with the egg and handrearing food.

It should be a product that does not have any additional active ingredients. I use the injectable (10 mg/ml) cattle but the pig one I believe is similar to the cattle one. I have not used it but I understand a water-soluble preparation designed for horses is available. Check with your vet.

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My first canary memory was early childhood as my mother raised about 100 canaries each year. During the breeding season, she was always finding a young chick which she said needed hand feeding. I would use a toothpick to stuff its crop with eggfood. It never occurred to me that each time it was a different chick! I still have a weakness for hand feeding although I rarely do it as the mothers food is far superior. When I was 16, I adopted an elderly "grandmother" and she raised German rollers. I would sit for hours and listen to her green roller singers. I banded my first birds in 1980. I achieved master breeder exhibitor status in color-bred canaries and German Rollers.
I became a judge and hold judging credentials from the Central States Roller Canary, National Colorbred, Stafford Canary, North American Border and Old Varieties Canary Associations. I have judged shows all over the US including Puerto Rico and Canada.
My book "The Complete Canary Handbook, Canary Tales" is in its 14th edition and sells worldwide. In a typical year, I breed around 150 canaries. My current aviary includes German Rollers, Borders, Staffords, and Colorbreds.